The Best Insects to Feed Bearded Dragons

The long term health of a bearded dragon can be dependent on providing a varied and nutritious diet. Learn more about the best insects to offer a bearded dragon for good overall nutrition.

Providing a varied and nutritious diet is very important for the long term health of a bearded dragon. The best insects to feed bearded dragons contain good amounts of protein, calcium, and other trace minerals.

Always feed insects that provide the highest nutritional value and closely resemble what a bearded dragon would eat in the wild. Never feed a bearded dragon insects caught in the wild unless they are deemed safe.

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Goliath Worms

These worms can rapidly grow four to five inches in length and are a good source of protein. Purchase Goliath worms at reputable pet stores or through online vendors. They typically come in large cups pre-loaded with food and contain 15 – 25 worms.

These worms grow very quickly and can be fed to a bearded dragon after a couple days growth.

Nutritional Information

Moisture Content – 85%

Protein – 9%

Fat – 3%

Calcium – 46.4mg/100mg

Wax Worms

Wax worms are small white-colored worms that are an excellent occasional treat insect to offer bearded dragons. These worms should not be a staple food item, because they tend to be high in fat content.

Feed an adult bearded dragon no more than five to six wax worms per day. Feeding too many wax worms can lead to obesity issues later in the bearded dragon’s life.

Purchase wax worms at most reputable pet stores or online vendors. They are very easy to maintain and can last up to a few weeks with proper storage.

Nutritional Information

Moisture Content – 61%

Protein – 15%

Fat – 21%

Calcium – 28.3mg/100mg

Mealworms

Mealworms are a very popular bearded dragon feeder insect. They can grow to a length of about two inches in length, and contain a hard outer shell called chitin. Young bearded dragons can have a difficult time digesting the chitin. Feed mealworms to adult bearded dragons only due to the risk of impaction.

Only offer mealworms (very large mealworms are sometimes called Superworms) as a supplement to staple insects. Five to six mealworms per feeding for an adult bearded dragon should be fine.

Most pet stores and online pet retailers carry a good assortment of mealworms.

Nutritional Information

Phoenix Worms (Black Soldier Fly Larvae)

Phoenix Worms (Black Soldier Fly Larvae are the same thing) are a very good feeder insect to offer bearded dragons. They have high levels of protein and calcium to offer and are easy to keep. Phoenix worms are a good supplemental insect for bearded dragon’s diet.

Due to their very small size it can be impractical to offer them as a staple food. The large quantities needed to feed an adult bearded dragon would be difficult to maintain and possibly expensive.

The best way to offer Phoenix worms is placing them in a shallow bowl. Fill the bowl with 10 – 15 worms then add the bowl to the terrarium.

Nutritional Information

Silkworms

Silkworms are another small, soft-bodied worm that can grow to a length of 3/4″ to 1-1/4″ in length and are very nutritious. They boast a very high amount of protein and moisture content. The fat content is moderate and beneficial amounts of ash (potassium, phosphorus, and calcium).

High amounts of protein make silkworms a nutritious food item for bearded dragons.

Purchase silkworms in cups pre-loaded with food at many pet stores and online retailers.

Nutritional Information

Moisture Content – 76%

Protein – 64%

Fat – 10%

Ash – 7%

Locusts

Locusts are an excellent feeder insect to offer a bearded dragon. They offer high amounts of protein and are relatively low in fat.

The United States bans the shipment of locusts, but they can be found in the UK and other countries.

Taking Care of Feeder Insects

Taking care of feeder insects properly is very important for offering the best insects to feed bearded dragons. Supply a high quality food to gut load the insects, such as Repashy SuperLoad. Feeding the feeder insects a high quality food before offering them to a bearded dragon ensures the insects are as nutritious as possible.

Crickets and Dubia roaches can be easily kept in a Cricket Pen, or similar container, and also need a water source for moisture such as Cricket Quencher.

Usually most worms come in a container with proper bedding and/or food. For a more complete food source, add Repashy SuperLoad to the container for mealworms, wax worms, Phoenix worms, and earthworms. Mulberry leaves are the main food source of silkworms.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Thank you for sharing and giving details on each insect for Bearded Dragon to eat. I like those inforamtion on Nutritional insects. That helps me to know that my Bearded Dragon, Kelpie is eating enough amount of it.

I feed my bearded dragon daily on fresh veg and every other day on roaches or locusts. Am I feeding him enough he is six yrs old .i have only had him about three months he came from a bad home he had no lighting and hardly ever fed. I no nothing about bearded dragons I took him in because I thought he was ill treated can you tell me how much daily veg and what veg and also how mush roaches and locusts daily I have been getting my livefood from pets are us large roaches and locust only have about eight in a pot how many should I give daily most aprciated if you could give me any tips thank you

Although they look very similar, Mealworms and Superworms are larvae of two different kinds of beetles. Superworms are not just large mealworms. Superworms are much better for bearded dragons than mealworms because mealworm shells are too hard for bearded dragons to digest properly, whereas superworm shells are. I wouldn’t suggest feeding bearded dragons mealworms at all. I would just feed them superworms. Hope this helps.